This is brilliant, Pete. I mean, the exposure would put to shame that of Esquire. Those quotes they have on the cups now could easily be replaced by, say, a 100-word story, or, as you say, the next paragraph of a short story, which would be even better for sales because readers will want to know what happens next. Serial fiction of the age of the sound-byte. 21st Century Dickens.

I'm sure some starving short story writer already pitched them the idea. The Overlords merely paused, cackled bitterly, and then turned their attention back to their mountainous piles of hundred-dollar bills.

Oh, what the hell - I think I'll pitch it to them. That way, when I get turned down, only to see them give another writer the identical cup treatment six months from now, I'll have some fine self-righteous indignation to comfort me. And another reason to not drink the scorched, sugar-infested sludge they're serving these days.

About Me

My writing has been published or is forthcoming in New York Tyrant, elimae, Phoebe, Apostrophe Cast, Keyhole Magazine, Lamination Colony, Action Yes, Word Riot, Barrelhouse, Opium, and elsewhere.
I review books and literary magazines and am a member of the National Book Critics Circle.
I can be contacted at joshmaday [at] gmail.com.